On October 9, 2018, the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) kicked off in Tokyo, Japan. Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Minister of Justice Takashi Yamashita of Japan and others attended and addressed the opening ceremony. 33 member states of the AALCO, observer states including Russia, and international organizations such as the United Nations attended the session as observers. The Chinese delegation, which was headed by Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Xu Hong and consisted of the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended the annual session.

The Chinese delegation expressed at the general debate that against the overall background of global governance reform, it is of great significance for Asian and African countries to strengthen cooperation in international law. Asian and African countries should take the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind as guidance, unequivocally adhere to multilateralism, safeguard the core values and basic principles of international law, and uphold extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, so as to better maintain the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and jointly promote the development of international law in the new era.

Established in 1956 in accordance with the decision of the Bandung Conference, the AALCO is the only inter-governmental international organization of Asia and Africa in the field of international law. At present, the AALCO consists of 47 member states and 2 observer states. Views will be exchanged on relevant topics including international law in cyber space, maritime law, settlement of disputes by peaceful means and International Law Commission, as well as on the Palestinian issue during this annual session.